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Lowstarr Interview Part One [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 30, 2010 • Comments (2)

Here is the first part of a four-part interview with Nottingham-based rapper Lowstarr. Formally known as Lee Ramsay, Lowstarr speaks exclusively with Hip-Hop Kings to discuss the reasoning of his name change, and the challenges he’s encountered when trying to re-build his brand. You can check out the other interviews on the Hip-Hop Kings YouTube page, however you can watch part one of the Lowstarr interview with Hip-Hop Kings below.

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JollyJay x H-to-O – Scattered Colours on the Rubiks Cube [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 27, 2010 • Comments (5)

There’s always a risk when you don’t stick to the status quo in regards to album preperation and music releases, so firstly hats off to both JollyJay and H-to-O. The Brighton/London/Germany based duo are releasing their brand new debit album “Scattered Colours on the Rubiks Cube” on April 30th, and I’ve been lucky enough to preview and review the album prior to the release. Both musically and visually there are some key points I wanted to share, and whether you like the music, it’s certainly worth checking out.

Point One. This is not your “typical” Hip-Hop album. I fully appreciate (being one) that a lot of publicists and P.R managers will pitch an album with that attribute, however you’re wasting your time if you’re looking for single-sylablle rhyming and conformed chorus patterns. JollyJay and H-to-O maintain their grass-roots ethos of creating clever lyricism with raw beats, the perfect foundation for any great music release.

Point Two. After the music a whole different world exists of marketing and producing a commercially viable product. Teams of project managers and strategies are drawn out from the major labels to ensurea profitable ROI (return of investment). In the case of “Scattered Colours on the Rubiks Cube” the textbooks remain locked away, and JollyJay and H-to-O instead decide to go on a 39-day tour of Europe, with no money in an attempt to pitch the album and survive of sales. The true meaning of hustling.

And finally we obviously have to speak about this music (since this is a review). If JollyJay and H-to-O haven’t used real instruments in the creation of the music then they’ve done very well to create that sort of vibe. A good ear for music is always vital, and the likes of “Tap That” which is the opening track, is a fine example of how a composition of music can enhance the listening experience. Unfortunately a lot of the wordplay and metaphorical references will be missed by fans, so I urge people to listen to the content, and particularly “Black and White” which is a highlight track.

There’s always a risk when you don’t stick to the status quo in regards to album preperation and music releases, so firstly hats off to both JollyJay and H-to-O. The Brighton/London/Germany based duo are releasing their brand new debit album “Scattered Colours on the Rubiks Cube” on July 30th, and I’ve been lucky enough to preview and review the album prior to the release. Both musically and visually there are some key points I wanted to share, and whether you like the music, it’s certainly worth checking out.

JollyJay x H-to-O - Scattered Colours on the Rubiks Cube

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Cyrus Malachi Interview Part Two [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 23, 2010 • Comments (0)

Here is the second part of the Hip-Hop Kings interview with Cyrus Malachi. As part one suggests, I caught up with Cyrus after his in-store performance to promote the release of his debut mixtape “The Isis Papers”. In the second part of the interview, I asked Cyrus about his collaborations with American artists on the upcoming album, and whether it’s something we should expect to see a lot more of. I also speak to Cyrus Malachi about touring and his live shows, and the rest of his plans for 2010 for him and Triple Darkness. You can watch the second part of the Cyrus Malachi interview with Hip-Hop Kings below.

Tags: cyrus malachi, Exclusive, hip-hopkings, interview, the isis papers, Triple Darkness

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Cyrus Malachi Interview Part One [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 22, 2010 • Comments (1)

Here is the first part of the Cyrus Malachi interview conducted in Nottingham, UK . As Hip-Hop Kings previously reported, Cyrus Malachi has just released his debut mixtape “The Isis Papers”, and I caught up with Cyrus Malachi after the in-store performance at OhMyGosh Records in Nottingham. We speak about the influence for the name, and Cyrus Malachi also talks about the project and his reasoning for the guest appearances. Lastly, we briefly talk about the substance and content of the words, and how Triple Darkness bring something different to the Hip-Hop world. You can watch part one of the Cyrus Malachi interview with Hip-Hop Kings below.

Tags: cyrus malachi, Exclusive, Hip-Hop Kings, interview, the isis papers

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Terawrizt Interview [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 13, 2010 • Comments (5)

HHK: Firstly thanks for speaking to me Terawrizt. For those who may not be aware, can we have a brief introduction please?

T: What’s up Hip-Hop Kings and all the viewers. My name’s Terawrizt, I’m in a group called Class A’z from Dublin Ireland and I’ve been rapping since the famine. If anybody wants to check out some of my tunes they can go to : http://www.myspace.com/terawrizteire , or you can download some of my mixtapes for free.

Sense The Terror : http://www.terawrizt.com/sensetheterror.zip

The Drug Money Mixtape : http://www.terawrizt.com/the_drug_money_mixtape.zip

HHK: I posted the track “Own Worst Enemy” on Hip-Hop Kings which features Sammi. How did the collaboration happen? And how pleased were you with the outcome?

T: Sammi had featured on a track on my mate Redzer’s ‘Dublife’ album and i was looking to get her on a joint off my new cd ‘Written In Stone’ so i spoke to a producer in the U.K. called Pro P about it and the beat he sent me fit perfectly with what i was looking to do for it. I wanted to do a typical old school rap classic with the girl singing the hook but put my own twist on it of course. We shot the video for it to use as the single for the album and two of the lads Jim MacFarland & Jebus looked after the shooting and editing and me and Redzer came up with the whole arguing with myself across the table concept. I think we pulled it off really well for it being a no budget job and people are really digging it so all in all it was a successful venture.

HHK: The video was also very well directed. What other videos can we watch of yours? And do you have an official YouTube page where you post the videos?

T: We have another video being edited at the moment by Jebus and shot by Jim which i think is really gonna surprise a lot of people when it comes out. I don’t really wanna give to much away at the moment but it’s a track called ‘Gun’s Of Dublin’ with myself, Redzer & Collie and its a whole action packed grand theft auto storyline buzz going on in it which should get plenty of attention when it drops, probably around September – October of this year. We also have a video thats a couple of years old now called ‘Sin City’ you can check out the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjfB7r-xIAk http://www.youtube.com/user/Terawrizt

HHK: What has been your highlight of 2010? And what projects have you released / currently working on?

T: We’ve done support slots for D-12, Brother Ali and The Souls Of Mischief. I got artist of the month in May with a big music review colum in Ireland and probably the main highlight was releasing my double disc ‘Written In Stone’ album which is getting good reviews all round. I’m currently putting the finishing touches on me and Nucentz follow up album Sense The Terror 2 which should be out really soon and were expecting big things from it. I’m also in the middle of doing my next solo project ‘Silence Is Consent’ which should be out near the end of the year. I’m also working with other Irish emcee’s and helping them release projects so 2010 has been a busy year and will hopefully lay the foundations for a successful 2011 for this up and coming broke rapper!!

HHK: if you could work with any Hip-Hop artist, who would it be and why?

T: To Be Honest i don’t really think about things like that, if something is meant to happen it will happen, but off the top of my head i’d love to do a track with Immortal Technique and drop some insane illuminati conspiracy tin foil hat craziness for the mass mind controlled population to rock there noggins too. That would be something for the sky news spin doctors to sink their greasy teeth into!!

HHK: What are your plans for the rest of the year? And can we expect to see your tour into England at any point?

T: I’d love to tour in England, there’s a lot of great emcee’s over there doing there thing, plus the Don’t Flop battles are getting a lot of attention. Who knows what the future holds but until then you can guarantee I’ll be grinding non-stop, that’s a certainty. Thanks for reading! Peace.

HHK: Thanks for your time, and keep in touch!

Here is the exclusive interview with Terawrizt

HHK: Firstly thanks for speaking to me Terawrizt. For those who may not be aware, can we have a brief introduction please?

T: What’s up Hip-Hop Kings and all the viewers. My name’s Terawrizt, I’m in a group called Class A’z from Dublin Ireland and I’ve been rapping since the famine. If anybody wants to check out some of my tunes they can go to : http://www.myspace.com/terawrizteire , or you can download some of my mixtapes for free.

Sense The Terror : http://www.terawrizt.com/sensetheterror.zip

The Drug Money Mixtape : http://www.terawrizt.com/the_drug_money_mixtape.zip

Terawrizt Interview Hip-Hop Kings

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Chief Wigz Interview Part One [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 12, 2010 • Comments (2)

I caught up with Leeds rapper Chief Wigz in an exclusive two-part interview. Chief Wigz in a leading artist in the West Yorkshire region, and has recently released his self-titled album which is available now. I asked Chief Wigz about the new album, and his personal favourite tracks, along with the record label Dont Talk to Strangers, and his 9 Lives Crew. The gentlemen on the left in red is the producer for the album “Brutal Artistry”. This is the first part of the interview, with the second part available tomorrow. You can watch the Hip-Hop Kings interview with Chief Wigz on the player below.

Tags: brutal artistry, chief wigz, Exclusive, Hip-Hop Kings, interview

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Rhymefest Interview [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • July 1, 2010 • Comments (3)

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Chicago rapper Rhymefest, as he’s just released his sophomore album “El Che”. I speak with Rhymefest about the promotion leading up to the album, and ask if he was happy with the amount of coverage he received. We also spoke on his personal favourite records, and how important his creative control was over El Che. Later in the interview, I asked Rhymefest about the Charles Hamilton situation, and he explains how a joint performance turned into a battle and more. Lastly, Rhymefest speaks about his meeting with U.K Prime Minister David Cameron, and how he himself will be running for office, and releasing a “secret” album. You can listen to my interview with Rhymefest below.

Rhymefest Interview

Rhymefest

Tags: el che, Exclusive, interview, rhymefest

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Yukmouth Interview [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • June 7, 2010 • Comments (3)

Following the release of the latest album “Free At Last” Hip-Hop Kings Interviews West-Coast Legend Yukmouth

HHK: Firstly thanks for speaking to us Yukmouth. The big news is the release of the latest album “Free At Last”. What was the inspiration for the name of the titie?

Yukmouth: Well like I say in all my interviews, “Free At Last is exactly what the title says, I’m Free At Last!” Free from Rap-A-Lot Records, and free from L.A. County Jail! On The West Coast Don album, I was locked up in L.A. County so I wrote the whole album in jail. So, that’s why it’s so much storytelling on that album because in jail that’s all you have is your story, so that’s how the album came out. On Free At Last, I was out of jail, and was able to network and make a great album. So, Free At Last is the MOVEMENT!

HHK: The album features guest performances from Mistah F.A.B and Jay Rock. How did you select the artists involved? And which producers contributed?

Yukmouth: Like I said, Free At Last was a networking album. I did my network thing real heavy on this album. Shoutout to Messy Marv / Mistah F.A.B / Jay Rock / Curren$y /Choppa Young City / 2Eleven / Roccett / Gudda Gudda /Tity Boi / L.E.P, Bogus Boys and YB the Rockstar! Thanks for niggas! We did it, another classic album! My producers were all new upcoming producers. People like Rob-Eyee / So Crates and Sour Beats / Cheese Mac / Cozmo / Jon Jon on the beat / Large Money Entertainment and others. I worked with the hot new producers because the big name producers charge too fucking much, so fuck ‘em! The new young fresh producers can do beats the same or better for less, so fuck ‘em!

HHK: This is your sixth studio album, and is tipped to be amongst your best. For new fans how would you describe the sound of the album? And musically which direction did you want to take the music?

Yukmouth: I kick off the album with the title track, “Free At Last.” That’s basically for the new Yukmouth fans who never heard my CD. It gives them my whole life story from the block to Hip-Hop, from Virgin Records to Rap-A-Lot. Then it goes into the album with beats from Down South to East Coast, and artists from Down South, Mid-West and West Coast, all together on one album! So, it’s a combination of all coasts, and unified music. So, it’s sumthing for everybody on this album.

HHK: There was an infamous incident with The Game a few years back. What’s the current stance on your relationship with him? And would you have handled anything differently at the time?

Yukmouth: Me and The Game situation been squashed before the “Beef 3″ DVD even came out! Shout out to my homie, Eastwood, for making that go down. He put me and The Game on the phone, and we squashed it like real niggas do! So, we good. As far as the beef, I think it was really both of us being loyal to our record labels and crews, so that wasn’t really no beef. So, when it’s really no beef, it’s real easy to squash because niggas shouldn’t be beefing in the first place. I wouldn’t change nothing because that beef with him made my skills 1000 times better, so everything happens for a reason. It’s all in God’s plan.

HHK: How does “Free At Last” differ from “The West Coast Don”? And how do you feel you’ve grown as an artist between the two releases?

Yukmouth: Shit, like I said, The West Coast Don was written in jail. Free At Last was written out of jail. So, The West Coast Don was a storytelling album, and Free At Last is the new Yukmouth back on his shit! So lyrically, it’s better than the previous album, and the music is better. So, I stepped it up big time on this album.

HHK: Are there any plans to tour nationally and internationally to promote the album? And what are your other plans for 2010?

Yukmouth: I’m touring overseas and doing club dates all over the states to promote this album. Far as what’s next, right after Free At Last is the Thuglordz’: Thig Money Album! Dats me and C-Bo as a group. Then, me and DJ Fresh got a street album called The Tonite Show coming. Then next, is The Regime: Dragon Gang Album. Also, look out for the movie I’m in called Five-K-One, starring Clifton Powel and Melvin Jackson JR.

HHK: Thanks for speaking to Hip-Hop Kings. Good luck with the album and keep in touch!

Interview by Ryan Maxwell

Following the release of the latest album “Free At Last” Hip-Hop Kings Interviews West-Coast Legend Yukmouth

HHK: Firstly thanks for speaking to us Yukmouth. The big news is the release of the latest album “Free At Last”. What was the inspiration for the name of the titie?

Yukmouth: Well like I say in all my interviews, “Free At Last is exactly what the title says, I’m Free At Last!” Free from Rap-A-Lot Records, and free from L.A. County Jail! On The West Coast Don album, I was locked up in L.A. County so I wrote the whole album in jail. So, that’s why it’s so much storytelling on that album because in jail that’s all you have is your story, so that’s how the album came out. On Free At Last, I was out of jail, and was able to network and make a great album. So, Free At Last is the movement!

Yukmouth

Tags: free at last, interview, yukmouth

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Metaform – The Electric Mist [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • June 7, 2010 • Comments (1)

Currently residing in Tokyo, Metaform is a California-born producer, musician and songwriter who is preparing his latest album “The Electric Mist” which will be available for purchase on June 15th 2010. Metaform’s music has been compared to the likes of DJ Shadow, and is categorised best as “sexy electro-pop”. The lead single “Candy” also comes with a video, directed by Metaform himself, to lead promotion for the release. The album also features tracks such as “DoorNumberOne” and “Strange Girl” which are set to become fan favourites. The fourteen track album will be available through all good online retailers on June 15th. You can view the artwork for Metaform – The Elecric Mist below.

Metaform - The Electric Mist

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Bobby – Bobbys World [Exclusive]

Ryan Maxwell • June 5, 2010 • Comments (1)

I’m proud to host, and exclusively present Bobby‘s brand new mixtape “Bobby’s World”. The fourteen track mixtape is a free download available to fans, and features new and unheard music from Bobby. The majority of the mixtape has been produced by Marv XX, however Bobby himself and Edel also guest produce on the album. You can view the download link and artwork for Bobby – Bobby’s World below.

http://www.mediafire.com/?xnzed1fwyzn